Opening Night for Churchill Downs unveils new Paddock, begins Kentucky Derby countdown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Churchill Downs opens the Spring Meet on Saturday, giving racing fans will their first chance to see the redesigned, $200 million paddock and start the countdown to Kentucky Derby 150.

For the first time, Churchill Downs will host the post position draws for both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on Opening Night.

Track spokesperson Darren Rogers said it will be live about 7:15 p.m. between races three and four.

"Anybody on hand that is here on opening night will be able to feel that buzz, the tension in the air, especially when post one is drawn," Rogers said. "That'll be a really extra special part of the evening."

There are plenty of Derby and Oaks horses already in the barns on the backside, and to be in either of the big races, the horses have to be on site by 11 a.m. Saturday.

"All the horses must be on the grounds one week in advance. Gives our veterinarians on site plus the Horse Racing Commission veterinarians the ability to observe these horses 24 hours/day in their stalls, during the morning training for one week in advance of the race," Rogers said.

Derby week parking

Parking won't be easy around Churchill Downs unless you have a parking pass. You'll have to plan to get to the track even if you do have tickets. All onsite parking at Churchill Downs is reserved in advance and the deadline has passed. If you do not have pre-purchased parking, you will not be able to purchase it onsite.

According to Churchill Downs, certain tickets are sold with parking included such as The Mansion, Spires Terrace & Suites, Paddock Club, and other select dining areas.

Each day during Derby week has different parking rules you should read ahead of time. For complete information, go to KentuckyDerbyParking.com.

Shuttles

There are free shuttles beginning at 10 a.m. from the Kentucky Exposition Center on Opening Night, 502'sDay, Champions Day, and Thurby.

On the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days, if you do not already have onsite parking, but have reserved seating with frontside access, there is parking at the Kentucky Exposition Center which is included with your ticket. Shuttles start running at 7:30 a.m. on Oaks and Derby.

RideShare and Taxi info for Wednesday's Champions Day

There is no offsite taxi or rideshare pick-up and drop-off on this day.
All taxi or rideshare pick-up and drop-off will happen onsite at Kentucky Derby Drive between Queen and Thornberry.
There is no parking at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on this day.

RideShare and Taxi info for Thurby, Oaks and Derby

Taxi or rideshare pick-up and drop-off will take place at the Bronze Lot at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
There will be no mobility assistance from Churchill Downs to L&N Federal Credit Union stadium.
Guests utilizing ride share should plan to ride a shuttle to the Kentucky Exposition Center for pickup or drop-off.

Parking for Thurby

There is paid parking available at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium beginning on Thursday/Thurby.
This option is for guests to park and walk to Churchill Downs.
Parking is paid day of via cash or credit card.
There is not any pre-purchased parking.
Pricing is planned to be as follows: $40 for a car or truck; $150 for an RV or similar; and $200 for a bus.

Kentucky Derby Museum

Visitors are already stopping by the Kentucky Derby Museum, which sits right behind the Barbaro statue at gate one.

"This is just a really exciting time to come here and for the Derby and 150," said Jackie Gardner, who visited the museum Thursday from Cecilia, Kentucky. "It's really amazing just to be here."

Final preparations and excitement are building ahead of Derby day with fans like LeAnn Hecke ready to take it all in.

"We are in town to do a bourbon tour with our husbands for their 60th and we decided to bump it up against Derby weekend because we wanted to see what it was like," Hecke said. "So we're here just to take in the museum."

Inside the museum, exhibits focusing on past winners and even Thunder Over Louisville are set up to celebrate the 150th Run for the Roses.

"We know we've had a lot of visitors," said Bobbi McSwine, the museum's communications manager. "We've been very much in sync with the previous year, which we set a record number of guests last year."

The museum is showcasing the Rider's Up exhibit, which lets visitors take their own try at crossing the finish line first. It's a video-game type simulation where visitors can pick their horse and follow along on a screen as it simulates a race.

"It immerses the player into the Derby Day experience. You get to be the jockey," McSwine said. "And so what better way to bring in 150 than that renovation right there?"

There's also a new exhibit coming this summer focused on fashion through the decades.

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